Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Our Beautiful Daughter Telma

Our daughter Telma is precious! We are so proud to call her ours.When we adopted our amazing twins, Teyolla and Keyolla, from the Marshall Islands, we met Telma. She followed us around and we saw her everywhere we went. One day, she ended up on thedoorstep of the apartment we were staying in. It was about 6AMand my Mom walked out the front door and saw her sitting there.Telma asked if she could come in and play with our kids. My Momsaid, "Sure!" So she came in, ate breakfast with us and slept in our apartment for the next two weeks! We got to know her pretty well and just fell in love with her!

After we finalized our twin's adoptions, we were getting readyto fly off island. I kept looking at Telma and my heart just sank.I thought, 'How can we leave this precious girl here, knowing she needed so much help?' I had a knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat. I knew we had to do something. She hadsevere scoliosis (a curvature of 115 degrees), was breathingvery heavy and labored and yet had a smile that just lit up her world! I knew she was special and I knew we had to gether help! I called my husband, who had just flown back homewith our two youngest children. I thought about how I wasgoing to talk to him about taking in another child when we had just adoped two! I was nervous to say the least! When I got on the phone with him and told him about Telma, he said, "HoneyI need to get you off that island before you come home with awhole shipload of children!" He was amazing! He told me to just bring the twins home and we would find a way to get Telma to the U.S. to get her the help she needed. We got Power of Attorney and she was in our home 5 months later.My mom had been looking after her while she was still in theMarshalls so we knew she was safe!

Our intention was to bring Telma to the states, get her the help she needed, and get her adopted out to a wonderful family. Instead, we absolutely fell in love with her and ended up adopting her.

Telma is a beautiful young lady who loves the Lord deeply andhas a real heart for the poor and needy. When she was living in the Marshall Islands, there were unkind children who madefun of her and even threw rocks at her. She experienced a lotof cruelty and I'm sure that has softened her heart to those whoare in great need!

When Telma prays over people, you will often see tears rolling down her face. She has a very compassionate heart and is filled with the love of Christ towards those who are in a difficult placein their lives.

We adopted Telma when she was 12 and she will be 18 in February! We love how the Lord weaves his plans together! The end resultis so beautiful! His ways are perfect and there is truly no one likeour God!

Telma has had four surgeries on her spine. She got an infection overtwo years ago, due to the hardware that was in her back. All the rods and screws holding her spine in a straighter position had to be removed. Her spine surgeon will not operate on her again. Hesaid it is too risky. We have been waiting for an appointment witha spine specialist in St. Louis. This specialist is booked years in advance and we are praying for a miracle. Please keep our preciousTelma in your prayers. She is still in pain daily and we need a miracle!

Despite Telma's physical trials, you will always see a smile on her face. She has an amazing spirit that has truly conquered much! What a gift from the Lord she is to us!

She sounds like a beautiful, godly young lady! I will be praying for her needs and continue to pray for your adoption. Your family is inspiring. It is so nice to see Christian family's truly following after God. Thanks for being an encouragement to me and many others.

Renee and Deryck...I just happened upon your blog while searching for some info on the Marshall Islands. I am Amy's little sister. It was great to read about what has been happening in your lives, and to see all of the pictures! I had not seen the twins since I visited Majuro several years ago. You have a beautiful family! I will be praying for Telma. God bless you all!

It's great to hear from you! Amy and I have been emailing back and forth a lot this week! How are you? Thanks for visiting our blog and for praying for Telma! I bet you could see a real difference in how much the twins have grown! Hope you're doing well.If you want to email, you can email me at reneeloux@ihop.org.

She is indeed a beautiful young woman with a beautiful spirit. Thank you for sharing her story and photo. I hope and pray that she will be able to have the needed surgery and relief! I wonder if Shriners Hospital could help?

I am so glad I 'stumbled' upon your blog! I was really touched by your family. My husband and I have been blessed through adoption as well.

I am so keeping Telma on my prayer list!! I was born with congenital scoliosis. Had surgery at age 8. Wore a brace through my teenage years too. I was to young for rods and they fused the curve with bone from my hip. I know there are other alternatives and I will pray for intercession for your sweet (and very beautiful) daughter!!

The Loux Family

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About Us

We are intercessory missionaries at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri. We love kids and believe that God is setting the fatherless into families through an adoption revolution fueled by night and day prayer. In any city where there are believers in Jesus there should not be unwanted children. The mission of our lives is to restore broken and discarded children through adoption, prayer, worship, and the Father's heart.